Boyes Turner share their foresight into the devastating impact of amputation due to diabetes cases and how they can assist with compensation where negligent delays in medical treatment have led to amputation. Diabetes and its associated complications are at an all-time high, with an estimated 415 million people affected by the disease throughout the world according to the International Diabetes Federation. It is also estimated that 193 million adults are not yet even aware that they are suffering from Type 2 disease. Given the importance of early screening, healthy lifestyle and good medical management if complications such as amputation are to be avoided. 

Diabetes UK recently revealed that the number of diabetes-related amputations in England has now reached 20 a day. That’s 7370 amputations a year, 4 out of 5 of which could have been prevented, according to the charity. Their estimate is based upon the fact that 80% of these began with foot ulcers, a condition which often goes unnoticed in diabetics who may have loss of sensation and impaired blood circulation in their feet. An undetected minor cut or blister may become infected and develop into an ulcer before it is noticed, by which time it is much harder to treat. 30-40% of diabetics with puncture injuries to the feet go on to develop osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone which without proper antibiotic treatment can lead to gangrene and amputation. The NHS has recently confirmed that an additional £40 million will be made available through the Diabetes Transformation Fund. The objective is to reduce the devastating impact of this condition through public education, access to inpatient specialist diabetic nursing and foot care teams. Knowing the risks and adopting preventative strategies through healthy lifestyle changes and daily visual foot checks along with regular medical check-ups and attendances on foot-care specialists can go a long way towards preventing diabetic complications.